Exploring the Great White North, Chapter 4: VanCity

It’s hard to say what I loved most about Vancouver, but I guess it would have to be how, in parts, it would seem like a bustling metropolis, but if you drove 15 minutes in the opposite direction, its small-town allure would shine through. After that, comes the fact that it reminded me a lot of Brisbane, which I miss so much!

We stayed in a hotel near downtown Vancouver, where I got to see all the beautiful buildings this seemingly-gigantic city had to offer, and I felt right at home. Everything was still covered in Christmas decorations, which made the city all the more welcoming.

We were going to be in Vancouver for New Year’s Eve, but we had not yet decided where in the city we would spend it! After some research, we decided on the Top of Vancouver Revolving Restaurant, expecting great views of the fireworks over the city! Much to our dismay, we found out the city council of Vancouver does not endorse firework displays.

However, we still went, and I’m glad we did, because the view over the city was spectacular! Even though the city of Vancouver is only the 8th largest in Canada, boasting less than one million residents, it surely did not feel like a small town that night!

Another remarkable place we visited was the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The bridge is 140 meters (approx. 459 feet) long, and 70 meters (approx. 229 feet) above the Capilano River. The park holds a very native theme, and items such as totem poles are present everywhere you look.

In the short time I spent in Vancouver, I managed to fall in love with the city. I loved seeing both sides of the city, the concrete jungle and the rustic forest, and finally understood why Vancouver is the most livable city in North America, and the third in the world. And I hope I will be back soon!

Now, for the music video, I chose one of my favorite songs from my favorite band, when they performed at the Armoury Studios in Vancouver, only a few weeks before I was there.